What has former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries been arrested for?
Prosecutors have announced the former CEO of Abercrombie and Fitch Mike Jeffries and two of his associates have been arrested on sex trafficking charges.
New York prosecutors have announced former CEO of lifestyle retailer Abercrombie & Fitch Mike Jeffries has been arrested in connection with sex trafficking and prostitution charges.
Authorities arrested Jeffries in Florida. His associates Matthew Smith and Jim Jacobson were also arrested on related charges.
Jeffries was CEO of the clothing company from 1992 to 2014.
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Sources told ABC News an investigation conducted by the FBI and federal prosecutors looked into whether the men held parties where they sexually exploited young men in the U.S. and overseas.
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Former Abercrombie & Fitch models filed case against Jeffries last year
Last year, a group of former aspiring models for the clothing brand sued both Abercrombie & Fitch and Jeffries, accusing the company of benefiting from a sex trafficking operation conducted by the former CEO.
Former model David Bradberry claimed in a proposed class action suit that Jeffries forced models to consume drugs and have sex with him in exchange for a shot at being part of Abercrombie’s catalogues.
The lawsuit alleged the ex-CEO used his position to invite men to castings at his homes in New York City, the Hamptons, among other locations where the reported misconduct took place.
According to the lawsuit, company officers were aware of Jeffries' activities and the company paid settlements to people who accused him of sexual misbehavior.